Independently Owned, Locally Grown, Community Loved
The Home Hill Bowls Club had a busy and successful week, with 30 players turning out for Thursday afternoon social bowls. Sponsored by Oar and Horan, five games of triples were contested on the green. - Rink 3: Tony, Tracy, and Andy triumphed over Paul, Gary, and Mick. - Rink 4: Yogi, Bob, and Wayne secured a win against Ron, Joe, and Stephen. - Rink 5: Judy, Tony, and Ross outplayed Bob Y., Des, and Cy. - Rink 6: John, Reno, and Hugh defeated Ray M., Ray H., and Bruce. - Rink 7: Jim, Dino, an
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The Home Hill Golf Club's Sip 'n Putt ‘Come and Try’ sessions, initiated by Megan Barbagallo, are becoming a popular event for women of all golfing abilities. These free sessions offer a welcoming environment for participants to enjoy golf while socializing with others. On Saturday, 17 August, 12 women gathered at the club to enjoy a day of sport, sunshine, and camaraderie under the expert guidance of PGA Professional Tara Jenkins. Tara, who began playing golf at the age of 10, has since develop
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The Burdekin Roosters will be in action this Sunday, with both the Reserves and Hens competing in their respective minor semi-finals. For both teams, it's do-or-die as losing means the end of their season. In A Grade, minor premiers Souths will face Western Lions for a spot in the Grand Final. Souths have been dominant this season, remaining undefeated, with Western Lions being the only team to come close, managing a draw. In the A Grade knockout semi-final, Brothers will take on Charters Tower
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The Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads had a busy weekend as they hosted their final home games of the season, setting the stage for the upcoming semi-finals. The action kicked off on Friday night with the U11s taking on Teachers West. The young Canetoads played an outstanding game, pushing their opponents to the limit but narrowly missing victory by just one try. Despite the close loss, the team celebrated with high spirits in the sheds afterward. U11s Final Score: 45 – 40. Unfortunately, the thi
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Members of the Home Hill Pickleball group travelled to Tennis Townsville on Saturday 17 August for a social match, undeterred by bridge closures, fog, and heat. The players enjoyed a nearly perfect day, participating in a "King and Queen of the Court" format that allowed them to mix and compete with Tennis Townsville's highly skilled players, gaining valuable pickleball experience in the process. Hannah Casswell, Ryan Schwab, and Toni and Michele Pivotto shone as the standout players for Home H
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The week at the Ayr Bowling Club kicked off on Tuesday 13 August with two games of triples, showcasing some impressive bowling! Last week, Pam Power and Irene Wilson represented the Ayr Bowling Club in Townsville at the NQDLBA Open Singles Championship. Pam made it to the quarterfinals - well done, Pam! A big congratulations to Irene Wilson, who won the championship by defeating Sue Brady (Pine Rivers) in the final. This win highlights the exceptional talent of the Ayr Bowling Club ladies, who
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On Wednesday 14 August, the Ayr Golf Club held another Monthly Medal competition, proudly sponsored by Eathorne's Intersport. The course was in excellent condition, and 25 ladies competed for a spot in the End-of-Year Monthly Medal Final. In A Grade, Pat Lawson emerged as the winner, with Janet Trezise as the runner-up. B Grade saw Vicki Adcock take the top spot, followed by Kerry Mann as runner-up. In C Grade, Angie Baxter claimed victory, with Katrina Hearn finishing as runner-up. Congratula
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Ayr Golf Club was pleased to have Sanco, a local family-run Burdekin tomato grower, sponsor the junior day on Saturday 17 August. The morning was a success, with Drummond Golf vouchers as the highly coveted prizes. In the 3-hole competition, Heath Suficiencia took the gross winner title with a score of 27, while Opie McKeough emerged as the Nett winner. Congratulations to both boys! In the 6-hole competition, Evelyn Mahoney claimed the gross winner spot with a score of 52, and Jett James secur
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The Brandon Bowls Club held a fantastic afternoon on Wednesday for mixed bowls, with the highlight being an A-grade singles match where Lyn Storrie triumphed over Vanda Ballao! In the triples game, Kev Collins, Sandra Darwen, and Helen Collins secured a win against Ann Newton, Lyn Farr, and Darelle Pearce. On Friday 16 August, the Club’s monthly Trophy Bowls Night, sponsored by Findex, saw a great turnout with 76 bowlers. The Club and its members expressed a big thank you to Findex and their re
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The Ayr Surf Club is calling on members of the public, both new and past, to join the amazing club. Now is the time to be a part of Surf Life Saving Queensland, the largest volunteer organisation in the world, and contribute to a safer, stronger community. Whether you’re a seasoned swimmer, passionate about first aid, or eager to help out, there’s a place for you with the Ayr Surf Club. Enjoy the sun, make new friends, and help save lives. Wear the red and yellow with pride! Be a Lifesaver, Y
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Casalegno Fields were bustling with activity on Saturday 10 August, as the Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads welcomed back some long-lost familiar faces for Old Boys Day. A highlight of the season calendar, Old Boys Day brought together past players and supporters, and the club hopes everyone enjoyed the festivities. “What a great night - A big thanks to all our Old Boys and the people that helped make yesterday such an awesome day,” shared the Burdekin Rugby Union Canetoads Old Boys. The Under-1
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Monday 26 August Why God Series Monday at 6.30pmThis series continues for 3 weeks every Monday night and Wednesday night concluding on 14th September at Ayr Seventh day Adventist Church corner of Parker and Wilmington Streets Ayr Presenting the series is Pastor Laufili Ah - Yo Contact for more details on 0404196170.Ayr Seventh day Adventist Church Saturday 31 August Burdekin Water Festival QMN Long Lunch Saturday 12pm Set to be a feast for the senses with mouthwatering delicacies and drinks, bre
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Meet Bruce Smith, a dedicated security control room operator who skilfully balances his full-time job with the demanding role of being an auxiliary firefighter. As a shift worker with the council, Bruce spends his days ensuring the safety and security of the community, a responsibility that requires constant vigilance. Due to the nature of his primary job, he can only respond to fire calls during his off shifts. However, this limitation hasn’t dampened his passion for helping others—a passion
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By day, he's a skilled cabinet maker, crafting cupboards and installing timber doors. By night, he's ready to jump into action as an auxiliary firefighter. For Brayden Arroita the balance between these two roles is a challenging yet rewarding experience. From a young age, Braydon dreamed of becoming a firefighter: "Ever since I was three, I always wanted to be a firefighter," he recalls. When the opportunity arose, Brayden didn't hesitate to pursue his childhood dream. Now, he juggles his prima
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The Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) is actively recruiting part-time auxiliary firefighters to join their dedicated team in the Burdekin Local Government Area, including stations in Ayr, Giru, and Home Hill. This is an excellent opportunity for residents to contribute to their local community whilst balancing other commitments.
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The CEO of Business Chamber Queensland, Heidi Cooper, highlighted the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by businesses across the state at a recent meeting during her visit to the Burdekin. "We spend a lot of time listening to the Queensland business community because we want to ensure the business environment is the right one for them," she emphasised. This approach involves engaging with regional and North Queensland businesses to advocate for the best possible outcomes.
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Stephen Tunbridge, one of Burdekin’s local volunteer heroes, has been with Burdekin Community Association Inc for 7 years. During his time with BCA, Stephen has always been prepared to help with whatever is required of him, within the organization and the community. Stephen originally was a business man and owned Shoelites Footware for many years. When his shop closed down, he decided to become a volunteer and give back to the community and wanted to use his time helping others. Stephen has bee
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Welcome to this edition of our newspaper, where we continue to bring you the stories that matter most to our vibrant Burdekin community. As I settle into my new role here in Home Hill, I’m filled with excitement and gratitude for the warm welcome I’ve received from residents, businesses, and community leaders alike. Home Hill is a place where the sense of community is palpable, where people take pride in their town, and where traditions and innovations walk hand in hand. The Burdekin region, wi
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OPINION PIECE Member for Burdekin Dale Last has lashed out at the state government as seafood shop owners and marine businesses in the Burdekin are left as collateral damage in the government’s decision to gut the commercial fishing industry. Mr Last said while the introduction of a heavily restricted commercial gillnet licence symbol NX, should have been an opportunity to allow our commercial fishers to continue to supply our state’s seafood consumers and support flow-on small businesses, its
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Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox, is no stranger to the Bruce Highway and has launched a campaign, Back Our Bruce, Back Our People. The section of the Bruce Highway that runs through the electorate of Dawson, from Mackay up into Townsville, has been identified as the most dangerous section of the entire highway, with the worst identified as the 100km stretch between Bowen and Home Hill. “As someone who spends a lot of time on the Bruce Highway, travelling to meet with businesses and
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The region is set to experience a significant boost to connectivity with the introduction of direct flights from Whitsunday Coast Airport to Adelaide launching on September 1st. This new route, developed in partnership with major airline Jetstar, is strategically designed to open the region to new markets while providing an affordable and convenient travel option for visitors. The decision to add Adelaide as a direct destination was driven by the airport's goal to expand beyond traditional east
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Every year on August 18th, the Burdekin community comes together to honour the sacrifices and bravery of the soldiers who fought in the Battle of Long Tan. This day, now synonymous with Veterans' Day in the region, has been a significant event for over 30 years. The ceremony, initially held annually in Ayr, has found a more permanent home at Deep Creek Veteran’s Retreat, for the past two decades, welcoming many visiting veterans from out of town. The ceremony begins at 11 am, and members of th
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Tourists are flocking to the Big Mango and Bowen Tourist Information Centre, with the iconic gateway to the town proving to be a popular stopping point where motorists are encouraged to venture into Bowen for the day or even longer. The popularity of the centre has reached new levels this year with record-breaking visitor numbers announced. Bowen Tourism and Business released figures this week confirming they welcomed more visitors than ever before during the 2023/34 financial year. This inc
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After more than a decade working in the power line industry, George Downward took a leap of faith in 2013 by establishing his own vegetation service company. With a background as an operations manager for a nationwide contracting firm, George had the foresight to anticipate changes in the industry. When his former employer transitioned to a subcontractor model, he recognised the potential risks and decided to forge his own path. "We started small, contracting for Ergon Energy and Queensland Ener
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Rehoming fee: $450 DOB: 31/10/2023 Sex: Male Breed: Staffordshire Terrier X Kid friendly: Yes Cat Friendly: Yes Other dogs: Yes Fences: 6 foot Alec is a sweet-natured, gentle young boy with long, lanky legs, and he is ready for adoption. Initially underweight and hungry, he has flourished in foster care, gaining strength and confidence. He loves playing outside with other dogs and enjoys relaxing on the couch. Alec is well-behaved, toilet-trained, sleeps through the night, and is great wi
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